Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Merivale, Herman 4 January 1859, CO 60:5, no. 131, 287.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1).
Romaine forwards “an extract of a letter” to Merivale on the “state of affairs in British Columbia.”
The minutes note that “Californian Miners” have returned to San Francisco for the winter and Admiral Baynes has reported that none of the “bars” can be mined until “the next irruption [sic]
in the spring.”
Enclosed is an extract from Baynes to the Secretary of the Admiralty reporting his arrival at Vancouver Island and the current state of affairs on the Pacific station.
Romaine to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Admiralty, S.W.
4 January 1859
Sir,
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty to send you herewith for the information of
Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies an
extract of a letter from Rear Adml Baynes, dated
29th Oct. No. 141, shewing the state of affairs in British Columbia.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The Californian Miners still continue to return to San Francisco for the winter. The lull in the affairs of the Colony which this must occasion will give the Governor opportunities to be well prepared for the fresh irruption in the spring, & to proceed with the organization of the Govt. Put by.
The Californian Miners still continue to return to San Francisco for the winter. The lull in the affairs of the Colony which this must occasion will give the Governor opportunities to be well prepared for the fresh irruption in the spring, & to proceed with the organization of the Govt. Put by.
HT Irving
5 Jany
In Admiral Baynes's opinion it seems that the "bars" 
cannot be
worked in winter, whether owing to flood or climate he does not say.
The future condition of the Colony mainly depends on this circumstance.
cannot be
worked in winter, whether owing to flood or climate he does not say.
The future condition of the Colony mainly depends on this circumstance.
If on floods engineering shall may avail—it is a point which I
specially commended to Col. Moody.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Extract, Baynes to Secretary of the Admiralty,
29 October 1858, reporting his arrival at Vancouver Island and
the current state of affairs on the Pacific station.
People in this document
Baynes, Rear Admiral Robert Lambert
Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer